Published on: January 17, 2023 Updated 6 times since publishing
3 Steps (Quick + Easy) to Getting a Chinese IP Address in 2026:
- Choose a VPN. Pick a VPN with at least 1 server in China, Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan (these locations can give you access to Chinese sites) — I recommend ExpressVPN because it can give you a Chinese IP address, access Chinese streaming sites, and offers the fastest speeds for all online activities.
- Download the VPN. It only takes a couple of minutes to download and install a VPN app on your device. If you plan to use the VPN on more than 1 device at the same time, check to see how many simultaneous connections the VPN allows. ExpressVPN, my top pick, allows up to 14 connections.
- Choose a server in China, Macau, Hong Kong, or Taiwan. Check the VPN’s list of server locations and select China, Macau, Hong Kong, or Taiwan. Now, you can surf the web with a Chinese IP address!
The best way to get a Chinese IP address is to use a VPN, which is online software that replaces your actual IP address with one from the country where you’re connected (like China). This allows you to browse the web as if you’re actually in China.
A VPN also safeguards your online data by encrypting your traffic, making your data completely unreadable — no matter where you are, your internet service provider or government won’t be able to see what you’re doing with a Chinese IP address! On top of that, VPNs are legal, easy to use, and affordable.
I found a few great VPNs for getting a China IP address — my top pick is ExpressVPN because it works with Chinese sites and streaming apps, and it’s super fast, but all the options on my list will get you a China IP with no issues. Editor's Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
Best VPNs for Getting a Chinese IP Address in 2026
Editor’s Note: The VPNs we recommend here have strict no-logging policies that prevent them from keeping track of (or even seeing) what you do online. This means you’re responsible for how you choose to use a VPN, so please be sure to follow all applicable rules and regulations. My colleagues and I do not condone copyright infringement.
🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for Getting a Chinese IP Address
Basic 12-Months plan: $3.99 / month
1-month plan: $12.99 / month
ExpressVPN is my favorite VPN for getting a Chinese IP address — it has 2 server locations in Hong Kong, 1 in Macau, and 1 in Taiwan that work with all top Chinese apps, like WeChat (including WeChat Pay), Douyin (China’s TikTok version), and Taobao.
ExpressVPN doesn’t offer actual servers in mainland China, but this isn’t a problem since the other 3 servers can provide you with a Chinese IP address. I really like how ExpressVPN uses physical servers, which means they’re located in these locations. Many VPNs use virtual servers in China — they provide you with a Chinese IP address, but are located in a different country. With ExpressVPN, you don’t have to guess about how a virtual server is affecting your speeds.
It accesses Tencent Video, QIYI, and Youku, as well as NetEase Cloud Music and QQ Music. Since it has the fastest speeds in the industry, you won’t have to deal with more buffering than you need to when streaming.
ExpressVPN also makes it very easy to get a Chinese IP address — all you have to do is type Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan in the search bar or click on the Asia Pacific region in the server menu and connect to the server location you need. You can even add these locations to the Favorites tab for 1-click access.
Read our full ExpressVPN review
🥈2. Private Internet Access — Best VPN for Optimizing Speeds + Mainland China Servers
6-month plan: $7.50 / month
1-month plan: $11.99 / month
Private Internet Access (PIA) lets you optimize your speeds while using a Chinese IP address — you can switch from 256-bit AES encryption to 128-bit AES. Less encryption usually provides faster speeds, especially on slow and overwhelmed public Wi-Fi networks.
The VPN offers virtual servers in mainland China, which can allow it to work with payment accounts that require a Chinese ID, like Weixin Pay and Alipay. It also accesses the mainland libraries of Bilibili, Tencent Video, and iQIYI, which is why it’s one of the top streaming VPNs on the market.
PIA also has servers in Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan that can access different versions of these platforms, as well as sites like Taobao and Weibo.
Finally, PIA provides you with a handful of convenient ways to connect to one of these servers. You can use the search bar or choose each one as a favorite, and PIA also has a quick connect option on the main window that displays the last 6 servers you connected to for quick access.
Read our full Private Internet Access review
🥉3. CyberGhost VPN — Best VPN for Beginners
6-month plan: $6.99 / month
1-month plan: $12.99 / month
CyberGhost is good for VPN beginners who need a Chinese IP address. This is because it has a cool feature called Smart Rules, which lets you automate your connections to its servers in China, Macau, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.
You can use it to configure CyberGhost to automatically connect to a Chinese server on launch, and auto-launch apps like Tencent Video, or even Taobao in your browser. You can even set it up to auto-connect you to a Chinese server (or a server in Macau, Hong Kong, and Taiwan) once you open a Chinese app.
CyberGhost also works with major Chinese services, including Weixin Pay, Alipay, JD.com, and popular music platforms like QQ Music, NetEase Cloud Music, and Kugou.
Read our full CyberGhost VPN review
Editor's Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
Quick Comparison Table
Editor's Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
Testing Methodology: Comparison & Ranking Criteria
I used our proven testing methodology to identify the best VPNs for getting a Chinese IP address. I tested each VPN under real-world conditions and made sure they all offer everything you need, like good speeds and reliability alongside your Chinese IP address. Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
- I confirmed the VPNs provide access to Chinese IP addresses. To get a Chinese IP address, the VPN must have a server located in China or another location that will assign you a Chinese IP address, like Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan. All the VPNs I recommend have at least 1 server in one of these locations.
- I made sure the VPNs are compatible with Chinese services. I tested whether they work with real-use apps like Taobao, Xiaohongshu, Meituan, and WeChat, and whether they allow logins and in-app payments with no connection issues.
- I verified strong security features. Every VPN I recommend includes 256-bit AES encryption, DNS and IP leak protection, a strict no-logs policy, and a kill switch.
- I tested each VPN for reliable speed. I tested every VPN with payment, shopping, and streaming apps, and they all maintained stable speeds. ExpressVPN was the fastest in my tests.
- I prioritized easy-to-use apps. All of my top picks come with intuitive apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and more that make it super simple to find and connect to a server that gives you a Chinese IP address.
- I checked for value and flexibility. Every VPN on this list offers a money-back guarantee, affordable pricing, and support for multiple device connections.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best VPN for getting a Chinese IP address?
My favorite VPN for getting a Chinese IP Address is ExpressVPN. It offers physical servers in Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, it’s great for streaming, and it maintains superfast speeds. In addition, it allows torrenting on its Hong Kong and Taiwan servers and comes with industry-leading security features.
Why do VPNs offer virtual Chinese servers?
Most VPNs don’t have servers inside mainland China because the Chinese government blocks or shuts down VPN servers that aren’t officially approved. If a VPN provider tried to run a server there, it could be forced to follow local rules, including giving up user data.
Instead, many VPNs use virtual servers. These servers give you a Chinese IP address, but they’re located in places that don’t have to follow China’s strict rules — for example, Private Internet Access has its China server located in Singapore. This way, you can use Chinese apps or websites that need a local IP, but without being under Chinese internet laws.
What can I do with a Chinese IP Address?
It allows you to surf the web as if you were in China, and also access Chinese sites. The best way to get a Chinese IP address is by using a VPN that offers servers in China, Macau, Hong Kong, or Taiwan. I like using ExpressVPN, which is really fast, really secure, good for streaming and torrenting, and easy to use.
Can I use a free VPN to get a Chinese IP address?
Maybe, but most free VPNs don’t offer servers in China. Plus, even if you find a free VPN that does offer Chinese servers, they often come with annoying limitations (such as slow speeds and daily/monthly data caps) and lack important security and privacy features. Instead, I recommend signing up for a low-cost premium VPN to get a Chinese IP address.
What are the risks of using a VPN to get a Chinese IP address?
If you’re outside of China, using a VPN to get a Chinese IP is mostly safe, but there are a few things to watch for:
- Untrustworthy VPNs may log your data, inject ads, or even contain malware. Stick to well-known providers with no-logs policies. All of the VPNs I recommend for getting a Chinese IP address have advanced security features.
- Not all Chinese IPs work perfectly. Some apps or sites may still block access if they detect that the IP is virtual or offshore. The VPNs I recommend work with most Chinese apps.
- Virtual Chinese servers can affect app compatibility and speed since they’re usually located outside China.
- VPNs with real Chinese servers could be subject to Chinese laws, which may include data logging or surveillance.
If you’re inside China, VPN use is restricted, and unauthorized services may be blocked or punished.
Editor's Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
